West Indies rest Alzarri Joseph and Shai Hope for Test series in Bangladesh

By SABC Sport
14th October 2026

West Indies have not included fast bowler Alzarri Joseph and batter Shai Hope in their squad for the two-match Test series in Bangladesh, starting later this month, due to workload management.

It is understood that the West Indies coaching staff has one eye on the ODI World Cup qualifiers in February 2027, with the duo seen as important cogs in the white-ball team.

A Cricket West Indies (CWI) statement said that paceman Joseph was not selected "following a routine medical assessment and specialist consultation".

CWI release said: "While he is not ruled out from shorter formats, the medical team has stated that the demands of two consecutive Test matches in Bangladesh, which require fast bowlers to sustain repeated high-intensity spells over extended periods, present a significantly greater workload and injury risk than the shorter white-ball formats.

"Joseph will continue working with the CWI medical team and specialists in preparation for a full return to the longer format."

Opening batter John Campbell makes a return to the Test squad after recovering a hamstring injury while allrounder Keemo Paul has been named as Joseph's replacement.

The two-Test series in Bangladesh will be West Indies' last assignment for the ongoing 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle. They currently sit eighth on the points table.

West Indies Test squad: Roston Chase (captain), Jomel Warrican (vice-captain), Joshua Bishop, John Campbell, Tagenarine Chanderpaul, Joshua Da Silva (wk), Justin Greaves, Kavem Hodge, Amir Jangoo (wk), Shamar Joseph, Brandon King, Keemo Paul, Kemar Roach, Jayden Seales, Kevin Wickham